Annual Nationwide Campaign to Support Police Officers
Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler and Mike McGinn, President of the Jason Conklin Memorial Lodge #957 of the Fraternal Order of Police, issued a statement recognizing Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (LEAD). LEAD is an annual nationwide day of support for police officers, established by the organization Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS). LEAD will occur on Tuesday, January 9, 2018.
Orange County’s citizens are encouraged to show their support for our police officers.
“Police officers dedicate their careers to keeping us all safe,” said District Attorney Hoovler, “and, unfortunately, in many cases, are injured or killed in that service. Despite their sacrifice, many in our society ignore all the good that police officers do, in favor of putting under an unfair microscope those extremely rare cases where police officers acting in the line of duty justifiably injure or kill citizens. We owe our police officers more than that. They risk their lives every day to protect us, and they deserve our support, not just on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, but every day. I urge all of Orange County’s citizens to do something on January 9 to show their support for our men and women who daily put on police uniforms.”
“The Fraternal Order of Police encourages everyone to support the dedicated professionals of the Orange County Law Enforcement community,” said Mike McGinn, “not just on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, but throughout the entire year. Every day, local police, sheriff’s deputies, state troopers, federal agents, and corrections, probation, and parole officers put themselves in harm’s way to make Orange County a safe place to live, work, and raise a family. Please take a moment to show them your appreciation on January 9th.”
The LEAD organizers at COPS have suggested several ways that citizens may show their support for police officers:
• Change their profile pictures on social media to the .jpg image provided at www.facebook.com/nationalcops.
• Wear blue clothing in support of law enforcement.
• Send a card of support to their local police departments or state police agencies.
• Share a story on social media about a positive law enforcement experience.
• Ask children in their communities to write letters in support of law enforcement.
• Participate in Project Blue Light, by proudly displaying a blue light in support of law enforcement.
• Organize an event or a rally in support of their law enforcement officers.
• Advertise their support through local media outlets or billboards.
• Post a public service announcement supplied by COPS to their organization’s webpage or social media pages.
• Most importantly, if they see a police officer, thank a police officer.
On Tuesday, District Attorney Hoovler will show his appreciation for the work of our police officers by visiting local police departments to deliver coffee and pastries.
For further information about Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, please visit the COPS website at https://www.nationalcops.org/lead.html.